Plan an out-of-the-ordinary educational experience at NAILE!
New in 2025! Custom, guided tours are available for groups of 25+ students from schools in non-farm communities, if booked by June 1, 2025!
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE)—the nation’s largest purebred livestock show—is a great opportunity to demonstrate to students where many of our foods and textile fibers come from, how farmers (including youth farmers!) care for animals each day, and what it takes to be the best of the best in the livestock world! Think of the NAILE as the Olympics for livestock, held each November in Louisville. The Kentucky Exposition Center is filled with excitement, as thousands of exhibitors and their animals compete in showrings with the most knowledgeable judges in the industry.
Students who have never visited a farm will find the showrings and the bustling show “barns” filled with animals being groomed, fed, and milked fascinating. The Children’s Barnyard offers up-close encounters with dozens of species of farm animals, including cattle, llamas, horses, goats, sheep, swine, and even hatching chicks. Plus, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s interactive area is a fun, farm-themed obstacle course designed to teach youth about Kentucky’s food, fiber, and equine heritage. The NAILE is a giant classroom like no other!
Students in agricultural communities—including FFA and 4-H youth—can observe the showrings and collegiate judging contests to elevate their own knowledge and skills and experience the excitement of the North American Championship Rodeo.
School groups are invited on the following days, November 7–9 and 14–19, with weekend dates included to offer more options for FFA, 4-H, and homeschool groups. Admission is FREE for students and chaperones (number of chaperones not to exceed number of students) when booked in advance.
School Tour Options
Custom Guided Tours are available Nov. 7, 14, 17–19, 2025, led by agriculture educators and volunteers, available for groups of 25 or more students from schools in non-farm communities, if booked by June 1, 2025!
These experiences are designed for students with limited agricultural knowledge. We will confirm your booking by June 5 and will develop a customized guided tour for your students, based on your interests. The final tour itinerary and related classroom materials will be sent to you in mid-October.
Self-Guided Tours are available Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 14–19, 2025. After booking a tour, you may email Stephanie Seber at stephanie.seber@kyvenues.com to request an itinerary of self-guided experiences, if desired, to make the most of your day at the NAILE!
North American Championship Rodeo Tickets
4-H and FFA student groups looking to attend the North American Championship Rodeo can do so at a discounted rate. The form will be available soon.